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Ten Years that Reshaped a Region

When the Leaders of ten ASEAN Member States convened in Kuala Lumpur, in 2015, for the 27th ASEAN Summit, they arrived carrying the weight of nearly five decades of regional cooperation—and the knowledge that much remained unfinished.

Cover Story

Phonepaserth PHIMSAVANN, known as Bee, was born in Vientiane, Lao PDR. She graduated from the National Institute of Fine Arts in Vientiane, Lao PDR, in 2023 with a major in painting. Since childhood, she has enjoyed creating art and often tells stories drawn from her own experiences. Her work is shaped by nature, everyday life, Cover Story

Book Feature: The Mango Flavour by Ambassador Gurjit Singh

The Mango Flavour: India and ASEAN After a Decade of the Act East Policy, written by India’s former Ambassador to Indonesia and ASEAN, Ambassador Gurjit Singh, explores three decades of ASEAN-India relations and the evolution of India’s Act East Policy. Drawing from Ambassador Singh’s diplomatic experience, he examines how this policy has shaped cooperation with Book Feature: The Mango Flavour by Ambassador Gurjit Singh

2025 ASEAN Art Residency Programme: “The Little Beetle’s Journey”

The ASEAN Secretariat initiated the ASEAN Artists Residency Programme (AARP) in 2018 to nurture and support the region’s young and upcoming artists. The programme has since featured several artists from across Southeast Asia. In 2025, the ASEAN Art Residency Programme (AARP) returned with a special edition that coincided with the Osaka Kansai World Expo. Lao 2025 ASEAN Art Residency Programme: “The Little Beetle’s Journey”

Building Trust Across Borders: Lao PDR and Viet Nam Deepen Consumer Protection

Officials from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) walked into the headquarters of the Viet Nam Competition Commission (VCC) on 28 August 2025 with a clear mission: to strengthen consumer protection systems across borders at a time when online marketplaces, cross-border trade, and consumer expectations transform faster Building Trust Across Borders: Lao PDR and Viet Nam Deepen Consumer Protection

No Consumers Left Behind

Inclusion as a buzzword has grown louder in recent years. While inclusive progress has already been made in some sectors, such as public service or transportation, attention should also be paid to inclusion in the private sector. Businesses have to promote inclusive business practices, which means intentionally integrating marginalised individuals into the value chain of No Consumers Left Behind

ASEAN Entities: A Brief

ASEAN Entities are accredited organisations that have been formally recognised by ASEAN for their commitment to support the regional bloc’s principles, goals, and initiatives. Article 16 of the ASEAN Charter specifically states: “ASEAN may engage with entities which support the ASEAN Charter, in particular its purposes and principles.”